Roy F. Baumeister maintains in his magnum opus 'Evil inside Human Cruelty and Violence' that the “[e]vil is always ready and waiting to burst into the world“. At first glance this statement seems exaggerated and entirely pessimistic. But today´s news demonstrate that Baumeister´s statement reflects reality: nearly every day, newspapers and TV report about death, brutal crimes, gang violence, rape victims and natural disasters. Although the evil has different faces and differs in its dimensions, it always goes along with two core aspects: harm and chaos, which cause a breakdown of the stable, peaceful and rational patterns of the ordinary life (cf. Baumeister, Evil inside Human Cruelty and Violence 5 and 69). While, on the one hand, the victims suffer, the perpetrators on the other hand derive pleasure from causing harm. Not rarely the question rises: What made these people turn to the dark and evil side?
A prominent literary example of this phenomena is Shakespeare´s tragedy Macbeth . Not only can the tragedy be seen as a setting of different degrees of the evil, it also reflects how ordinary people turn to the evil side. Therefore, the question: how does the protagonist Macbeth turn evil? will be the object of investigation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction:
2. The Evil:
2.1. The Evil in Etymological and Semantical Perspective:
2.2. The Faces of the Evil or the Unseizable Horror:
2.3. The Other versus the I:
3. Text Analysis:
3.1. The Rise and Fall of Macbeth:
3.1.1 Act I (p. 95-121):
3.1.2 Act V (p. 193-211): a brutal monster or just a pitiable victim?:
4. Conclusion:
Objectives & Themes
The main objective of this term paper is to investigate how the protagonist Macbeth, originally depicted as a noble and courageous character, descends into evil. The study seeks to answer the central research question of how an honorable man can turn to the dark side, exploring whether evil is an external force or a potential rooted within the human psyche.
- Theoretical exploration of the concept of evil from etymological and psychological perspectives.
- Analysis of the dualism between the "I" and the "Other" regarding moral behavior.
- Examination of Macbeth's character development through the contrast between Act I and Act V.
- Impact of language, ambition, and external influence on the protagonist's fall.
- Critical discussion on whether Macbeth should be viewed as a monster or a pitiable victim.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 Act V (p. 193-211): a brutal monster or just a pitiable victim?:
Not only the regicide, but also the murder of his best friend Banquo (III, iii) and the murder of Macduff´s family (IV, ii) and several other nameless victims are on the list of Macbeth´s cruel and evil deeds. Although there is no doubt that Macbeth is responsible for these cruel and unjust deeds there is a strong tendency at the end of the tragedy that Macbeth is not the absolute bugbear he seems to be in the acts II – IV. Ina Schabert points out that
[i]m Schuldigen bleibt stets der Mensch sichtbar, der selbst am Bösen leidet. Neben dem moralischen Urteil steht die Trauer über Fehlleitung und Verderb großer und edler Anlagen. Auch wird der Bereich des außermenschlichen Bösen deutlich genug spürbar, um den Zuschauer das Verhältnis von Verhängnis, Willensfreiheit und Verschuldung als Frage aufzugeben.44
Nowhere else in play than in act V, iii and v we can see that Macbeth is still a human being which has feelings and suffers from his deeds. 'I have lived long enough: my way of life/ Is fall´n into the sere, the yellow leaf,/ And that which should accompany old age,/ As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,/ I must not look to have – but in their stead/ Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath/ Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not' (V, iii 22-28). Before the final battle takes place, Macbeth is lost in thoughts and his sentiment is full of despair.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the investigation, setting the theoretical framework for analyzing the evolution of evil within the protagonist Macbeth.
2. The Evil: This section provides a multi-faceted definition of evil through etymological analysis and psychological theories, specifically challenging the idea that evil is solely an externalized "Other."
2.1. The Evil in Etymological and Semantical Perspective: Explores the linguistic roots of "evil," defining it as the antithesis of "good" and an overstepping of proper limits.
2.2. The Faces of the Evil or the Unseizable Horror: Discusses various philosophical and psychological interpretations of evil, highlighting that evil behavior often stems from the self rather than just being an external threat.
2.3. The Other versus the I: Examines the psychological dualism between the "I" and the "Other," utilizing the Stanford Prison Experiment to demonstrate the potential for ordinary individuals to commit evil acts.
3. Text Analysis: Applies the theoretical findings to Shakespeare's play, focusing on the character arc of Macbeth.
3.1. The Rise and Fall of Macbeth: Traces the transition of the protagonist from a heroic soldier to a tyrant, analyzing the influence of ambition and language.
3.1.1 Act I (p. 95-121): Details the initial stages of Macbeth's moral corruption, highlighting the influence of the witches and the manipulation by Lady Macbeth.
3.1.2 Act V (p. 193-211): a brutal monster or just a pitiable victim?: Evaluates the protagonist's final state, emphasizing his despair and the loss of humanity despite his previous atrocities.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, reaffirming that the potential for evil is rooted within the human condition rather than being a purely external phenomenon.
Keywords
Macbeth, William Shakespeare, Evil, Ambition, The Other, Stanford Prison Experiment, Philip Zimbardo, Regicide, Moral corruption, Language, Tragic hero, Human psyche, Otherness, Act I, Act V
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this term paper?
The paper examines the phenomenon of evil in Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth,' specifically investigating how the protagonist, initially a virtuous character, is seduced into committing evil acts.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers etymological definitions of evil, psychological perspectives on human cruelty, the dualism of the "I" versus the "Other," and a literary analysis of Macbeth's moral decline.
What is the primary research question?
The core question driving the investigation is: How does the protagonist Macbeth turn evil?
Which scientific methods or theories are applied?
The paper utilizes literary analysis of Shakespeare's text combined with psychological theories from authors like Roy F. Baumeister and findings from the Stanford Prison Experiment to explain human behavior.
What does the main body of the paper address?
It provides a theoretical basis in the first half and a detailed text analysis of Macbeth's development, contrasting his heroic status in Act I with his existential despair in Act V.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Macbeth, evil, ambition, Otherness, psychological dualism, and moral corruption.
How does the author interpret the role of the witches in Macbeth's fall?
The author views the witches as catalysts who utilize ambiguous language to exploit Macbeth's inner ambition, ultimately comparing their role to that of a tempter, similar to the biblical snake.
What role does language play in the tragedy according to this analysis?
The paper argues that language is initially an instrument of power used by characters to manipulate others, but it eventually loses its force, leaving the protagonist isolated and nihilistic by the end of the play.
Does the author consider Macbeth solely responsible for his downfall?
No, the paper suggests that while Macbeth is responsible for his actions, he is also a victim of his own misinterpretations, external pressure from his wife, and a corrupting environment, positioning him as a more complex figure than just a "brutal monster."
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the nature of evil?
The study concludes that evil is not merely an external "Other," but is a potential deeply rooted within everyone, capable of being activated by specific circumstances or environmental pressures.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Zilles (Author), 2008, The Evil within - A motif analysis on Shakespeare´s 'Macbeth', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118238
